When the tyrannical matriarch of the Boynton family is found dead in the remote desert of Petra, Hercule Poirot must identify which of her oppressed relatives committed the crime. Poirot, vacationing in the Middle East, finds himself surrounded by a family held in a grip of psychological terror by the victim. He faces a complex web of motives, as every member of the household had reason to wish for the woman's demise. The narrative follows a classic investigative framework, relying on Poirot's keen observation and psychological deduction to dismantle the alibis of the suspects within a confined, isolated setting.

This novel is widely recognized as a quintessential example of Christie's ability to weave psychological complexity into a traditional whodunit. Readers often highlight the claustrophobic atmosphere created by the isolated desert setting and the intense family dynamics. The character of Mrs. Boynton is frequently cited as one of Christie's most memorable and detestable villains, which heightens the stakes of the investigation. The resolution is noted for its clever subversion of expectations, demonstrating the author's mastery of the genre's mechanics.